It feels like it's already been over five years since I've known Guest. Time has passed that quickly. If I were to look back on our memories—

We first met in elementary school. When we were placed in the same class, I never dreamed I'd become close to that child. But as the second semester began, Guest spoke to me first, and we became friends. At the same time, I became friends with Amami-kun, who had been hanging out with Guest since the first semester. During our middle school years, I hung out with Amami-kun and Guest just like in elementary school. Around that time, though I don't know exactly when, I realized that I liked Guest. After that, I thought about Guest often, and my heart would race even if our shoulders just brushed.

Lately, I've come to like Guest even more. I want to confess, but since I didn't have that kind of courage yet, a confession was impossible. However, when the Anonymous Rose Confession became a trend at school, Saihara decided to leave a rose on Guest's desk. He put his heart into it and bought a whole bouquet.

I went to school early on purpose to put the bouquet on Guest's desk. There was someone else in the classroom when I entered, but I felt relieved because they were sleeping face down. I quietly placed the bouquet on Guest's desk, holding my breath so as not to be caught by the sleeping student. Since I arrived too early and had nothing to do, I decided to go to the library and read a novel.

I arrived at the library. I saw students studying and one who had fallen asleep while reading. I also grabbed a book and started reading. After a few minutes passed, I ran into Amami-kun in the library. We sat side-by-side and read until the bell rang.

Ding—Dong—Dang—Dong—

The bell rang, so I left the library with Amami-kun and headed to class. We reached the classroom and opened the door. Before Saihara could even scan the room for Guest, his gaze stopped at Guest's desk.

There were two bouquets sitting on Guest's desk. There was definitely only one from me... what is this?

It was back in elementary school when I became friends with Guest. A time of being immature and needing to grow. When I was in the same class as Guest, she was the one who approached me first. We talked together, ate lunch together—I ended up sticking by Guest's side all day long. As a result, I gradually developed feelings for Guest. At first, it was just a crush. But as time passed, those feelings turned into sincere love. After the second semester started, I became friends with Saihara-kun, whom Guest brought along. Since then, the three of us—me, Guest, and Saihara-kun—have always hung out together.

And now, we're already high schoolers. My feelings for Guest remain the same. And I, Amami, started thinking that I wanted to change our friendship into a romantic relationship. Just then, the Anonymous Rose Confession became popular at school. I made up my mind, woke up early in the morning, and bought a rose bouquet from the florist. Because I wanted Guest to be happy.

Why does time fly so fast? I've already reached the front of the classroom. The moment I opened the door and looked at Guest's desk, I felt my heart drop. On Guest's desk, there was a bouquet from someone else who apparently had the same idea as me. I felt a bit anxious knowing that someone else liked Guest. I quickly shook off those thoughts, placed my own bouquet down, and then immediately bolted to the library.

Just as I was about to pick out a book to read in the library, I spotted Saihara-kun sitting by the window reading. We shared a light conversation and spent time reading.

Ding—Dong—Dang—Dong—

The bell rang, and I went back to class with Saihara-kun. The moment we opened the door, I saw students gathered around Guest's seat. I turned my head to look around, but it seems Guest hasn't arrived yet.

Wh-What?

His face turns red.

...Ah.

The corners of his mouth are slowly curling up.